Maria R. Perbellini earned her Master of Architecture from the Pratt Institute. She also holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia in Italy. Prior to joining New York Tech, she served as associate dean for graduate programs in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University (TTU), where she developed a Master of Architecture curriculum with four graduate certificates, as well as a post-professional Master of Science in Architecture program with specializations in digital design and fabrication, urban and community design, and design and health. She also coordinated the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Land-Use Planning, Management, and Design.
Perbellini has taught multiple levels of architectural design studios and graduate advanced technology courses. At TTU, she co-founded the graduate digital design and fabrication program. For several summers, she directed the study abroad program in Verona, Italy. She also implemented an undergraduate digital media sequence and graduate digital workshops to support and supplement design studios and construction courses; the initiative significantly impacted the College of Architecture’s pedagogical direction. Previously, Perbellini taught at the University of Texas in Austin and at Yeungjin Jr. College in Taegu, South Korea.
Perbellini’s research interests include parametric surface structures, design process, digital design and fabrication, and intermedial architecture. She is a principal at Pongratz Perbellini, an internationally recognized multidisciplinary firm. Before establishing her practice, she worked for Peter Eisenman and John Reimnitz in New York, was involved with the design of prestigious commissioned buildings, and participated in international and invited design competitions.
A frequent exhibitor and lecturer, Perbellini is co-author of numerous publications including the books Natural Born CaaDesigners (about young American architects involved with a digital practice) and Cyberstone (which provides an overview on stone design, engineering, and manufacturing processes), as well as the textbook Digital Media for Design (about creative strategies using a range of media supporting each stage of the design process).
In 2015, Perbellini participated in the Harvard Management Development Program on Higher Education Leadership. While at TTU, she received the 2015–2016 Integrated Scholar Award; the 2012 and 2016 Outstanding Researcher Award; the 2012 Alumni Association New Faculty Award; and the 2011 and 2012 Global Vision Award for Outstanding Study Abroad Faculty-Led Leader.